Woodcut Printmaking: Ages 7–11

with Leah Klister
Tuesday-Friday, July 16–19; 9am–12pm CT

Explore a new art medium in MCBA’s print studio! Experience relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop. Learn all of the steps, from copying your design to the printing block (a soft eraser-like block) to signing your name on your finished prints. Practice carving your block, printing with a baren (a smooth pad used to apply pressure when printing) by hand, and how to repeat the carving and printing process to achieve more depth and layers on your prints. Continue reading “Woodcut Printmaking: Ages 7–11”

Pop-Up Books: Ages 7–11

with Kate Battle
Tuesday-Friday, July 16–19; 1–4pm CT

What can we make with a simple sheet of paper? How about a pop-up! Sure, they can be complex, but we start off with easy-peasy pops. In this four-day, in-person workshop, we look at some amazing pop-up books for inspiration, then we experiment and create a whole bunch of practice pop-ups. After learning the basics, choose your favorite pop-ups, add your text and a cover, and you’ve got your very own pop-up book!

Students learn the secrets of paper engineering and basic geometry involved in this art form. They learn how to use tools like bone folders and scoring tools. Their imaginations are engaged as they visualize how one pop-up structure can be illustrated in countless ways. Design may come into play if students choose to incorporate text on the pages of their pop-up book. Continue reading “Pop-Up Books: Ages 7–11”

Woodcut Printmaking: Ages 12–14

with Leah Klister
Thursday & Friday, July 25 & 26; 10am–4pm CT

Explore a new art medium in MCBA’s print studio! Experience relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop. Learn all of the steps, from copying your design to the printing block to signing your name on your finished prints. Practice carving your block, printing with a baren (a smooth pad used to apply pressure when printing) by hand, and how to repeat the carving and printing process to achieve more depth and layers on your prints.

The instructor will demonstrate each step of the process and provide one-to-one instruction along the way. Students will print by hand using a baren to make their set of prints, but they will also see a demonstration of the Vandercook press and pull a print or two with assistance. At the end of the workshop, students will share about their projects with each other and any adult caregivers who arrive for pick-up ten minutes early. Continue reading “Woodcut Printmaking: Ages 12–14”

Criss-Cross Binding: Ages 15–18

with Rachel Payne
Tuesday & Wednesday, July 30 & 31; 10am–4pm CT

Explore hand bookbinding in MCBA’s bindery! Come learn this not-so-secret binding designed by Belgian bookbinder Anne Goy. Fun fact: This structure was re-created by an English binder who didn’t know the source and decided to call it “Secret Belgian Binding,” which is what this structure is commonly referred to today.

Learn how to make a criss-cross binding and explore how this structure uses sewing similar to that of a Jacob’s ladder to create a binding that opens flat and allows the cover to flip to the back. The criss-cross binding is great for thin books, sketchbooks, and artist’s books. Come away with two completed bindings (more if you are speedy) and the know-how to make more independently after the workshop. Continue reading “Criss-Cross Binding: Ages 15–18”

Woodcut Printmaking: Ages 15–18

with Leah Klister
Thursday & Friday, August 1 & 2; 10am–4pm CT

Explore a new art medium in MCBA’s print studio! Experience the process of relief printing while carving and printing your own design in this in-person workshop. Learn all steps of the process from transferring your design to the printing block to signing your first edition of prints. Instruction will cover methods for turning your design into an image for woodcut printing, carving techniques, printing with a baren (a smooth pad used to apply pressure when printing) by hand, and how to repeat the carving and printing process to achieve more depth and layers on your prints. Continue reading “Woodcut Printmaking: Ages 15–18”